Seven hours later 6651 stood before six other soldiers. Amongst them was Stellada, her number of GU8265 on the side of her armour.

"Here's the deal," he began. "There's a group of units that blipped out several hours ago. During that time, Necrogate sent a scouting party to try and find them. They didn't return."

"Dead?"

"That's what we're finding out. Pretty simple, isn't it?" 6651's voice was flat and monotone. He had no wish to be in charge, he was a following-orders-blindly kind of guy, but perhaps this was his chance for a little extra cash. You don't really care what happens to this planet, do you? Stellada's comments rattled in his head. He tried to dismiss them, but found it wasn't that easy. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps he didn't have much going for him in life. Perhaps he was cruising through things. He took things steady, and the times when he tried to settle down and begin a 'normal' life, well, things got in the way. Life, he had found, was a bitch, and he never liked being controlled by a bitch.

"I'm in command. Plain and simple. I give an order, you follow it." He looked them over. Their faces were hidden, so he couldn't tell what they were thinking, but he had an idea that they didn't find him the most pleasing person to work under. "I don't want to shoot anyone, but there are a hell of a lot of biomechs out there that will, and if one of you wants to put us in a situation where there is a chance of ending up being converted, I'll shoot you dead. Understand?" A reply of 'yes sir' rose from the six armoured, visored, blank soldiers.

"Right then. We've got a march across the city; roughly five hours. Keep on your guard. I want to finish this thing alive."

A mighty roar was heard overhead. It was the sound of a god bellowing in pain. The pilot ran to the entrance, calling his troops to follow him. They emerged into a new morning. Five Celestrian Hellfires swooped over the city and rose up into the troposphere, majestic and glinting away in the suns, their sleek bodies rippling clouds from their flanks.

"They've unleashed the big guns," one of the soldiers called.

"Don't think I've ever seen one in real life," Stellada said. 6651 followed their now invisible path with his eyes, trying to imagine where they would be going. Soaring, flying away into the darkness, where he should be. His heart went out to the pilots and he saluted the sky. From the corner of his eye he saw the six behind him copy his gesture.

"All the more reason for us to succeed. Let's go."